Viña Morandé stood out in the Tim Atkin Special Report Chile 2026, released in the second half of April. A total of 13 wines scored above 90 points, with two labels ranked among the Wines of the Year, achieving the highest scores in their respective categories. The tastings were conducted in December 2025 by journalist and Master of Wine Amanda Barnes, a member of critic Tim Atkin MW’s team.
With 97 points, El Cabernet de Ránquil 2021 was listed among the top Cabernet Sauvignon wines of 2026. It is also the highest-scoring varietal in its category and the only wine from the Itata Valley to appear in the ranking. Unique within Chile, the wine comes from a 1.96-hectare vineyard planted 130 years ago in the Secano Costero of the region.
With a limited production of just 2,000 bottles, it represents over a century of dedication by a single family who has preserved this vineyard across generations, along with the innovative vision and pioneering spirit of Viña Morandé, which since its founding has been committed to enhancing Chile's viticultural heritage.
Another highly recommended label in the Wines of Year ranking was Morandé VIGNO 2022, which earned 95 points in the report and secured its place among the best Chilean Carignans of 2026. This distinctive blend of Carignan and Syrah also comes from old vines, bush-trained in the Secano Costero of the Maule Valley.
More than a wine of great character, juiciness, and longevity, it represents the efforts of a group of Chilean growers — the Vignadores de Carignan — to revive and honor this grape variety, considered one of the country's viticultural gems.
Black Series Syrah 2024, in turn, was awarded 94 points. Sourced from vineyards in the Limarí Valley, it stands out for the singular expression of its terroir — a cool, steppe-climate region located 400 km north of Santiago.
The region's high sun exposure, combined with the influence of coastal fog and ocean breezes, as well as its calcareous soils, create ideal conditions for crafting a distinctive Syrah: bold and complex, with great varietal expression, fine tannins, and marked minerality.
These results reinforce what Viña Morandé has consistently built over the years: a viticulture deeply committed to the identity of Chilean terroirs and to preserving a heritage that deserves to be known beyond the country’s borders.
About Viña Morandé— The most awarded Chilean winery in South America, Viña Morandé has a genuine history of innovation in pursuit of excellence: a pioneer in the Casablanca Valley, a trailblazer in high-density planting, and one of the first to recover terroirs and ancestral winemaking techniques. Its constant experimentation and bold spirit give rise to a diverse and unprecedented portfolio of wines, sourced from different appellations and crafted using a wide range of methods. A unique portfolio that attracts curious consumers in search of exceptional wines. Click to read more.